Applications for 2010 sites have now closed
The application period for URJ affliated synagogues has been extended until November 30

Starting a Hazon CSA

Hazon partners with synagogues, JCCs, and other Jewish institutions across North America and Israel to create Jewish Community-Supported Agriculture programs.  Hazon CSAs runs like any other CSA (weekly vegetable pickups from a local farm, delivered to a central location), but also uses the CSA model as a platform for inspiring Jewish education and community building.  The program started in 2004, and has grown to 32 communities in 2009. Hazon CSAs run out of synagogues (reform to orthodox; large congregation to a small havurah), JCCs, day schools, Hillels, and other Jewish institutions.

Hazon provides numerous types of support to our partnering synagogues and JCCs:

• The “Hazon CSA Bible” (a comprehensive instruction manual)
• In-depth training at Hazon’s annual Food Conference in December
• Ongoing phone trainings throughout the year on topics like: marketing, building a farmer relationship, planning educational events, evaluation etc.
• Individual phone and email consulting for questions and trouble shooting
• Marketing and outreach support
• An electronic “resource bank” of educational event ideas around Hazon CSA
• Access to the active Hazon CSA listserv community and communities across North America

Our partnering synagogue/JCC provide:

• Space for weekly vegetable distribution
• Local leadership (volunteers and/or staff) to coordinate all aspects of the project
• Administrative support from the Rabbi / Executive Director  
• Marketing and outreach support
• A commitment to sending representatives to Hazon’s Food Conference training
• A program fee to Hazon

Special note – In 2010 we are looking to start the first inter-faith Hazon CSA in one or two locations. We are incredibly excited to explore building community across faiths through the CSA model. If you are interested in piloting this new program, please contact CSA@hazon.org.

You can download an application form to start a Hazon CSA here.

You can find answers to questions about starting a Tuv Ha'Aretz on our Starting a Hazon CSA FAQs page.